Kolinsky Scholarship Instructions

December 03, 2013

Applications are due Feb. 19, 2014, for the 11th annual Bohdan “Bo” Kolinsky Memorial Journalism Scholarship, given by the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance. The scholarship honors the memory of Bohdan Kolinsky, longtime school sports editor of the Hartford Courant, who died in 2003 at the age of 49.

The scholarship provides $1,500 to a secondary school senior from Connecticut who is admitted to an accredited four-year college for study leading to a career in sports journalism. A winner of the scholarship may qualify for aid at increased amounts for the remaining undergraduate years if he/she meets standards of progress set by the Alliance. A student thus may receive a total of $8,500 in aid over four years.

The program currently is assisting students at Marist College, Fordham University, Boston University and Northwestern University.

A student applying for the 2014 scholarship must submit, preferably as a single package:

A completed application form.

A one-page essay stating why the student wishes to pursue a career in sports journalism.

A summary of the student’s academic and employment history, showing involvement in journalism, other extracurricular activities, and awards received, if any.

Evidence of good academic standing, including grade transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. If possible, transcripts should be complete through any marking period ending in January 2014.

A one-page letter of recommendation from a teacher, a faculty advisor or a professional print or broadcast journalist who supervises the applicant’s work.

Three samples of the applicant’s writing published since Sept. 1, 2012. These may have been published in a daily or weekly newspaper, a magazine, a school publication or an online site. At least two samples should be relevant to sports. Applicants are encouraged to submit samples of varied types of writing: event coverage, feature story, investigative story, column etc.

For each sample, the writer should include the name and address of the newspaper, magazine etc., and the date the article was published. Clippings, or legible photocopies thereof, are preferred. If an article has been heavily edited or pied in publication, the applicant may submit a copy of the original version in addition to the clipping, together with an explanation.

Applicants will be judged on the basis of evidence of promise as journalists and of ability to successfully complete college-level academic work. Selections made by the Alliance are final and are not subject to appeal. The Alliance, at its sole discretion, may make additional awards in appropriate circumstances.

All materials of any nature submitted by applicants become the property of the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance Inc., and none will be returned.

Seniors at public and private secondary schools in Connecticut who are residents of Connecticut and whose original (freshman-year) classes have not graduated are eligible to apply. Postgraduate or fifth-year students are not eligible.

Applications and supporting materials should be sent by U.S. mail to the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance, P.O. Box 70, Unionville, CT 06085-0070. All applications and supporting materials must be received by 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, or postmarked no later than Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014. Late or incomplete applications will be rejected. The Alliance will extend this deadline only if extreme weather or a manmade disaster significantly affects schedules in a majority of Connecticut school districts. No individual extensions will be granted.